Multi-unit drug delivery devices and methods

Abstract

Implantable drug delivery devices include a housing defining a reservoir, a first unit within the reservoir, and a second unit within the reservoir. The first unit contains a drug and the second unit contains a functional agent that facilitates release of the drug. Intravesical drug delivery devices include a housing portion containing a drug formulation and a housing portion containing an excipient, and are configured to release the drug according to a first release profile and the excipient according to a second release profile. Methods include inserting any of these devices into a patient and releasing drug from the device.

We claim: 
     
       1. A drug formulation consisting of:
 a first plurality of mini-tablets each consisting of:
 80.0% by weight gemcitabine HCI; 
 13.3% by weight urea; 
 4.2% by weight polyvinylpyrrolidone; and 
 2.5% by weight polyethylene glycol 8000; and 
 
 a second plurality of mini-tablets each consisting of:
 90% by weight urea; and 
 10% by weight one or more excipients. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The drug formulation of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of mini-tablets has a diameter between 1.5 mm and 3.1 mm. 
     
     
       3. The drug formulation of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of mini-tablets has a length between 2.0 mm and 4.5 mm. 
     
     
       4. The drug formulation of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of mini-tablets has a diameter of about 2.64 mm. 
     
     
       5. The drug formulation of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of mini-tablets has a length between 2.0 mm and 4.5 mm. 
     
     
       6. The drug formulation of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of mini-tablets has an aspect ratio of height: width of 3:2. 
     
     
       7. The drug formulation of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pluralities of mini-tablets has an aspect ratio of height: width from 3:2 to 5:2.